With the latest advance sin cosmetic dentistry porcelain/ceramics have come to the forefront as highly cosmetic materials that can be used to emulate natural enamel with high fracture resistance and strength. This has enabled people to have the beautiful smile they always desired and at the same time look natural and lustrous like their own teeth.

Here are some of the results that can be achieved with porcelain crowns and veneers

Porcelain Crowns

Porcelain crowns are basically of two main types:

• Bonded All Porcelain Crowns
• Porcelain Fused To Metal Crowns

Bonded All Porcelain Crowns

These are the latest type of dental crowns and can be well placed only by trained cosmetic dentists. The new bonding technology places them such that they act like a single piece with the tooth. All porcelain crowns are the most natural looking of dental crowns and are ideal for restoration of the front teeth.

Porcelain Fused To Metal Crowns

These crowns are also made of porcelain except that they have a metal substructure, which demands the use of an opaquer under the porcelain.

Comparison of All Porcelain and Porcelain Fused To Metal Crowns

Both types of porcelain crowns have their merits and shortcomings. Following are main points of comparison:

• Porcelain fused to metal crowns is stronger than all porcelain crowns. For best results, all porcelain crowns need to be bonded to the tooth.
• All porcelain are the most beautiful and natural-looking crowns while porcelain fused to metal crowns are not as translucent and show a dark line at the edge, near the gum line. This problem especially becomes prominent as the gum recedes with time.
• All porcelain crowns have the disadvantage that they sometimes require more tooth reduction.

Porcelain Veneers

Dental veneers are very thin coverings for the front surface of teeth. Veneers are mostly made of porcelain or resin composite materials. One of the most aesthetic ways of restoring a beautiful smile is by means of porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are especially favored by dentists because these veneers:

• Require minimal tooth reduction i.e. about 0.5 mm.
• Allow the alteration of tooth position, size, and color.
• Do not require the application of an anesthetic in many cases.
• Do not require the fabrication of a temporary restoration.
• Once in place, they show great chewing strength.

Advice on Wearing Porcelain Veneers

To properly maintain the aesthetic and function of your porcelain veneers, take care of the following basic things:

• Brush and floss regularly.
• Use non-abrasive toothpaste.
• After the first placement of the veneers, your teeth may show some sensitivity to heat and cold. Consult your dentist if it persists for more than 2 weeks.
• Adopt a normal diet and avoid food items that may bend or twist the laminates since porcelain veneers have low tensile strength.
• If you happen to be a bruxer or clencher, ask your dentist to make a soft night guard, which you may wear for minimizing stresses on teeth during sleep.